Councillor Charles Maudling elected new Chair

COPELAND Council has elected Councillor Charles Maudling as its new Chair for 2020/21.

Councillor Maudling was elected unanimously to the position at the council’s Annual General Meeting today (Thursday), and succeeds Councillor Joan Hully.

Councillor Maudling has served on Copeland Council since 2015; originally representing Harbour ward, and following a boundary review in 2019, now representing Whitehaven Central ward.

Felicity Wilson, Millom ward, will serve as Deputy Chair.

Councillor Maudling said: “It is a privilege and honour to be elected Chair of Copeland Council. I would like to thank all the Councillors and the Mayor for electing me.

“This is the first time an independent Councillor has had this honour, and I am humbled.

“Of course we are facing challenges – with the Covid-19 crisis and lockdown restrictions and the need to have virtual council meetings – but it is a challenge I will rise to with the help of our Councillors and officers; I look forward to working with them all.”

Outgoing Chair, Councillor Hully, said: “I have had fantastic support from fellow Councillors and council officers, and I would like to thank all those who are keeping the community safe and are working hard to enable this beautiful part of the country to get through this pandemic.

“I would like to wish Charles good luck for his year in office, and I am looking forward to a time when we can all meet again.”